DOWN BY THE GLENSIDE

Written by a brother of Brendan's mother. Kearney was part of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, better known as the Fenians. He wrote it in 1916 during the Easter revolt. He also wrote The Soldier's Song (Amhràn na bhFiann), the Irish national hymn.

Covers:

1950:

Ken Curtis & Sons Of The Pioneers[in John Ford film Rio Grande (with John Wayne); the action takes place during the American Mexican war, when an Irish regiment (the San Patricios) fought alongside catholic Mexicans]

The Bold Fenian Men is a different Irish traditional, hummed by the old woman in Down By The Glenside: "I listened a while to the song she was humming, Glory O, Glory O, to the Bold Fenian Men". The Fenians (Irish patriotic movement started in New York on St Patrick's Day 1858) struggled for own rule in a unified Ireland, free from the British. The song was also used on both front lines during the American Civil War.